Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
God shows no favoritism by nation, rank, wealth, appearance, or color, but in every nation accepts whoever reveres Him and lives righteously. Peter learned this when shown to call no person common or unclean, opening the gospel to Gentiles as equal fellow heirs without circumcision, confirmed when the Spirit fell on Gentile hearers as on Jewish believers. His impartiality does not excuse disobedience, for He judges all by the same standard of character and obedience, rewarding the obedient and punishing transgressors regardless of privilege or position. He still guides sincere seekers who live up to the light they have, sending further light through human messengers so they may come to full faith in Christ. Those converted share His spirit by treating rich and poor, high and lowly alike with justice and compassion, and by serving and using all without partiality.
Peter's Vision and Setting
The declaration was made in the house of Cornelius to Cornelius and the company gathered with him. It came after Cornelius had told of the angel appearing to him in vision and had declared that all present stood before God to hear what God had commanded. It came after Peter had explained that Jews counted it unlawful for a Jew to keep company with or come to a person of another nation because it brought ceremonial defilement, but that God had shown him to call no man common or unclean, which was why he had come without objection as soon as he was sent for. That rule against association came from human tradition and not from God's law, and no person is to be treated as common or unclean on that basis.
Peter had been prepared on the housetop at Joppa by a sheet let down from heaven containing all kinds of animals, four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things and fowls, with the bidding to kill and eat. He refused because nothing common or unclean had entered his mouth, and was answered three times that what God has cleansed must not be called common. The same lesson was enforced when three men came from Caesarea and the Spirit told him to go with them without doubting, which he did with six brethren as witnesses. The unclean animals illustrated the changed standing of the Gentiles before God, not permission to eat animals formerly prohibited as unclean, and the Jewish customs barring social contact were human tradition, not God's law. Such visions comfort God's people and correct them when departing from Bible truth, but do not provide a new rule of faith.
Peter himself was being converted from the prejudice against Gentiles held from Jewish training, learning not to belittle those without opportunity to hear the truth. He undertook the duty laid on him by divine command reluctantly at every step, defending it not on general principle but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and the result surprised him. His recognition meant he must no longer treat Gentiles as unclean or keep the gospel from them, and must no longer maintain the ceremonial distinction between circumcision and uncircumcision as a barrier. As pioneer in breaking through the barriers of ages to teach the heathen world, his experience with Cornelius, the first major conversion among the Gentiles, was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world, from which home a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
The chapter shows God's way of giving direction through visions in the night season, angel ministration, and a train of circumstances bringing honest hearts into connection with those who can best reach them. God knew exactly where each person was, told Cornelius in every particular where Peter was lodging with Simon the tanner, and guided both men to meet so that Cornelius might learn the truth. The angel could have given the gospel directly, but that is not God's way; heaven and earth were united as Peter as human instrument imparted the light he had received to Cornelius. That pattern shows that God's church must connect together and that those with greater knowledge must share it with seekers, with chosen people bringing the gospel to those who need it by God's power and not human wisdom.
Meaning of Divine Impartiality
Of a truth God favors no one for nation or background, and in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him. Peter learned that he must call no man common or unclean, and Cornelius and his household receiving the Holy Spirit and baptism confirmed that Gentiles share God's gifts and the gospel without first becoming Jews. Even wicked cities are not passed by, for in wicked Nineveh He saw those seeking something better who would abandon evil and turn to Him if given warning, and He revealed Himself clearly to lead them to repentance. The same Spirit given to uncircumcised Gentiles as to circumcised Jews shows neither group inferior and that Christ's blood cleanses from all uncleanness.
God makes no distinction of rank, wealth, learning, intellectual ability, outward appearance, property, or worldly honor, for all are simply people before Him. He judges not by these things but by oneness with Christ, purity, nobility, character, goodness, integrity, and love. The earnest, contrite, humble person who cherishes light and opportunity is precious, wise, and good in His sight, however ignorant or lowly the world considers him, and it is wrong to reject fellow believers for lack of wealth, learning, or worldly honor. His impartiality is pictured by the sun shining on just and unjust, representing Christ the Sun of Righteousness shining alike on all, so that favoring the wealthy while neglecting the poor displeases Him and slighting the needy slights Jesus. True moral worth is the humble contrite heart, and this was lived out by passing by the wealthy, honored, and leaders of the nation to dwell among the lowly without seeking admiration, applause, army, or earthly kingdom.
With God there is no caste or color, for race is nothing in His sight. Rich or poor, white or black, Jew or Gentile, bond or free are joined in one brotherhood and are equal, bought at infinite price, amenable to the same law, judged according to deeds, and offered the same salvation and the same heaven on the same terms. He loves all and gives special tender pity to those bearing heavier burdens, as a mother cares particularly for a sick child, and He will make up to the neglected what the world withholds. Slighting a brother for color slights Christ, for having a colored skin is no sin and cannot be helped, while what matters is a pure, white soul. Converted colored men and women who love Him are His property of equal worth with white people, received as graciously as Christ received all who came to Him, and capable through grace of being reformed, ennobled, and made fruitful.
God is not partial toward any person, place, or part of His vineyard, for His work is one whole. Means, men, and facilities are not to be concentrated in one favored location, institution, or country while other fields lack what they need, but advantages where the work is established are to help needy fields. Every portion is to be worked, advantages shared, and memorials such as places of worship, schools, and presses planted so the standard can advance elsewhere and the truth reach every people. Believers in every country are equally precious, and robbing one field to spend freely on another misrepresents Him and leaves workers hindered for lack of means.
His impartiality does not excuse sin or set aside obedience, for He rewards the obedient and punishes the disobedient by the same standard. Cain could have been accepted like Abel if he had offered in faith and obedience, for both had equal opportunity to understand and accept God's plan, but Abel believed and obeyed while Cain doubted and rebelled. Israel, though chosen, lost favor through murmuring, unbelief, and rebellion until blessings became curses and mercies became judgments, warning every generation against disregarding light and following its own way. Position, family, privilege, or great light do not shield transgressors, as seen with Nadab and Abihu, Moses and Aaron at the rock, and Uzziah, and great light brings increased responsibility rather than license. Those who fear Him and work righteousness remain precious only as they show allegiance by strict obedience to every precept of the moral law, including the Sabbath.
Gentiles Share the Gospel
With the declaration in Cornelius's house a new phase of the work opened in which the door that Jewish converts had closed against the Gentiles was thrown open. The ceremonial distinction between circumcision and uncircumcision was ended, and Gentiles who accept the gospel stand on perfect equality with Jewish disciples as fellow heirs without the necessity of circumcision. The ceremonial law made null by the crucifixion must not be put as a yoke upon Gentile disciples, since God knows the hearts, puts no difference between them, and purifies hearts by faith. Cornelius's conversion was the first major conversion among the Gentiles, though a barrier still held in the apostles' minds which Christ's death had broken down. God carries forward His work in His own way, breaking down prejudice and enlightening all who love and fear Him even when they do not yet know all the truth, sending heavenly messengers to bring many Gentiles to the truth, while those who hold to their own ideas and will not yield cannot be used but are passed by for those willing to walk in His ways.
The truth was proved while Peter spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for while he spoke the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the word with equal power as upon Jewish believers at the beginning. The same light and glory was reflected upon the uncircumcised as upon the circumcised, and the same gift given to those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ showed neither group inferior. Their reception of the Spirit and baptism showed that Christ's blood can cleanse from all uncleanness and that the gospel breaks down prejudice to open repentance and life to Gentiles. No human can impress the human heart, but God alone gives the words and impresses them upon hearts, with the righteousness of Christ going before and the glory of the Lord as rearward, giving power to lead men and women to give their hearts to the Saviour. Peter had learned this at Joppa through the sheet let down from heaven with four-footed beasts and wild beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air, the command to slay and eat, his refusal because nothing common or unclean had entered his mouth, and the voice answering three times that what God has cleansed must not be called common. The same lesson was enforced when three men came from Caesarea and the Spirit told him to go with them without doubting, which he did with six brethren as witnesses, so that he could not withstand God in preaching to them and eating with them in their houses.
Salvation was no longer restricted to the chosen people but was offered to the world to whoever in any nation believes in the Lord Jesus with all the heart. The gospel is equally able to save everyone who accepts Christ as personal Saviour, high as well as lowly. The church is founded on Christ the Rock and consists of those who faithfully confess and believe in Him, not confined to an institution claiming exclusive authority to save. In and through Christ Jew and Gentile are brought into one spiritual fold, fulfilling the covenant promise that in Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed. Christ came to break down barriers that exclude people from God's gifts and to show that His mercy and love are offered without restriction, like air, light, and rain, not reserved for one people or nation on account of nationality, rank, or creed. Name, outward privilege, and position have no real value with God and cannot secure the spiritual blessings of His covenant, and no outward disability can shut anyone out from those blessings if he complies with the conditions, for everywhere and in all ages he who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Seekers Led to Light
Cornelius pleased God by sincere devotion, daily prayer for light and guidance, generous almsgiving, and faithful living up to all the light he had, and he was kindly regarded and accepted as far as his knowledge went though he was not yet a disciple and did not yet fully know Christ. His piety, prayer, and alms were acceptable for what he knew, yet they could not take the place of Christ in whom all fullness dwells and in whom alone all is made complete. His faith and righteousness could not be complete or perfect without knowing Christ, so God did not leave him in darkness but sent him further light and knowledge for the further development of righteous character. That advance in faith and new experience came through a human messenger, for God appointed Peter as the human instrument to become acquainted with Cornelius in gospel missionary work and give him further instruction, rather than communicating the gospel by the angel, thus uniting heaven and earth so that more than one man was converted and a man of influence in connection with believers could accomplish a great work. He who had believed the promise of a Messiah had to receive its fulfillment through Jesus Christ, reaching out for more light until God counted him acceptable, saw he would do honor to the church, sent a special message from heaven, answered his daily prayers, and directed Peter to visit him.
The verse does not mean that good works make belief unimportant, that belief is of no consequence so long as works are good, or that good works alone save. Faith must unite with works, accompany works, and be joined with works, for faith alone does not save but is strengthened and made perfect and complete by works only. Those brought into connection with servants who have new truth substantiated by the Word of God should advance with the light given and accept it with joy and gladly follow it, for truth is onward and upward.
As God worked for Cornelius so He works in every age and in every sphere of action for men like Cornelius, devout honest seekers not fully informed of present truth yet fearing God, following principles of righteousness that God accepts, walking in all the light they have, longing and praying for more, and living devout lives as a clear pure undefiled testimony shining as bright lights. Many such are nearer the kingdom of God than is supposed, found even in the churches, in high positions of responsibility among worldly men, in the investigation of true science and of the laws that rule the world, in associations bitterly opposed to the message, and among men of position and means held by worldly ties who lack moral courage to stand with lowly believers. God prepares the way for them to take the place of those given a knowledge of Bible truth who disappointed Him, visits them by angels from heaven, places them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word to obtain advanced light, and calls men of nobility and influence to stand for Him in true integrity as witnesses testifying by purity and nobility of character to the power of unadulterated principles. When they receive Christ they receive Him with gladness, remain true to pure holy principles, and will gladly receive greater light and walk in it as precious jewels, so special determined effort must be made for them, servants must place themselves in readiness and make personal efforts to minister the bread of life with words of hope and cheer, and the work must not drift into securing only the poorest while neglecting the higher classes who if converted will give strength and solidity to the cause. Mere lifelong profession does not make a man true, sanctified, and ennobled through the truth, while those taught by God like Cornelius are called now, and those who have lost spiritual discernment yet are right in their own eyes and suppose themselves wise are foolish and in perilous condition building upon sand.
God regards every human being and cares equally for every soul He has created, with no one neglected or passed by and no people or class excluded from Christ's love. He knows each by name, just where each lives, the spirit possessed, and every act of life, as He knew Cornelius as truly as Abraham and knew where he lived, and He still acts for any person who receives and improves all the light given. His angels work throughout the earth to comfort the sorrowing, protect those in danger, and win people to Christ, ministering angels pass through the churches noting faithfulness in each individual line of duty, and heaven is much nearer the Christian engaged in soul-saving than many suppose. Even those without written law or gospel may respond to His voice in nature, showing the Spirit has touched their hearts and that they are recognized as His children, and the humble servant in humble employment wherever he is, purchased by blood at infinite price, is seen and helped alike and may trust the Captain of salvation to make known everything essential concerning eternity and salvation and to give strength even in great feebleness to do what He calls him to do. Therefore each person should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth, and acts of mercy toward anyone in need are accepted as done to Him.
Living Without Partiality
Those truly changed take on God's impartial spirit and treat every other person as they would treat Christ Himself, never disregarding another's rights. All who hold the truth are to cherish love for one another as brethren, showing no favoritism or partiality among people. Rich and poor, high and lowly stand alike, to be given credit for honesty of purpose and unselfish motives and to be treated exactly as we wish to be treated, with pitying love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility. Dealing must be honest, just, true, gentle, and righteous, without false weights, and oppression and injustice must not be supported even toward the least. Those who sit in council and act in official capacity must not be sharp, critical, determined, stubborn, oppressive, or harsh or exercise arbitrary authority, for harsh dealing imperils souls, and just as one deals with others in the person of His saints so will He deal with that one.
Unless rigid traits are overcome they will strengthen and harden until heaven's gates are closed, for no such spirit can enter the family above. Nearness to Jesus does not come by rank or favoritism but belongs to the pure, to those who are good and do good, as John was loved most because he most closely imitated Christ's character and was imbued with love. No distinction of color or caste is to be made, and separate interests are not to be built apart from the workers God has chosen, but all are to work together. Human judgment must be impartial like His: one man's mind and judgment is not to rule in important decisions, but plans must be opened to other minds to be viewed, sifted, freely unfolded, tested, and prayerfully considered in unity under the Spirit. Feelings enlisted for relatives or special favorites must not govern counsel or produce partial decisions, guard wrong, or allow disputes and difficulties among believers and relations to divert the mind from the great object to be attained.
Those who guard the interests of His people must not let regard for family or position stop them from reproving wrong, for great light and special privileges do not excuse sin but bring increased responsibility. When favored and honored persons sin, their influence goes far to encourage transgression, and if their example weakens another's faith and breaks down moral and religious principle, wrath will come upon them as betrayers of sacred trust. Those responsible for reform must not excuse sin or conceal evil through misplaced kindness, for firm correction of a few, done in Christ's spirit, can be mercy to many. No preferences are to be shown, but one another respected, with plans shared and carefully considered so that work goes forward in unity. God shows no favoritism in whom He uses, but teaches and guides each one individually, so that all who seek Him with the whole heart will find Him, which calls for patience and kindness toward the difficult and sensitive.
He uses humble, devoted Christians who have love of truth in the heart, whether learned or ignorant, whether called to ordained ministry or not, and accepts their service in sharing truth with others. The greatest part of the work is not to be expected of and left to ministers alone, for hundreds of now-idle men and women can work if encouraged. According to ability they can do acceptable service and a great work by carrying truth house to house into the homes of neighbors and friends, and sitting by the fireside, if humble, discreet, and godly, they can meet the real needs of families even more than a minister could. No kind of person or essential occupation or class of work is beneath regard, for physical strength and mental ability are gifts from God, and faithful, thoughtful, skillful use of them in necessary work expresses love for Him and ennobles and sanctifies labor. Ministers must reflect that impartiality by becoming acquainted with those for whom they work, sharing their joys and sorrows and ministering to every class without distinction.
The whole tenth chapter is to be read and prayed over until understanding is opened, and then it sets workers to earnest labor for souls in the home field, giving the work as freely to Jews as to Gentiles and erecting no barriers by forbidding and criticism. It reveals how God works on human minds for one who fears His name, breaking the power of oppression and tyranny and dispelling ignorance and superstition. Small companies in destitute spiritual condition, anxious to be fed, stretching out for the bread of life, eagerly searching the Scriptures and praying together like Cornelius and his house gathered to hear all things commanded of God, must be given food from the Word in a plain, reachable way, with the crib let down that the hungry may feed. Cornelius, a Roman officer in high position who lived by the light received and sought more in prayer, received a message and Peter was directed to visit him, showing that persons of influence and the higher classes are also called and should be reached by special effort, since if converted they give strength to the cause. No one is to be passed by when others can help save them, for family, privilege, culture, or religious training give no favor, and children and youth with fewer advantages deserve the same loving care as those closely watched over.
God deals impartially with workers and stewards, giving wisdom to all who ask in faith as He gave Solomon discernment to learn both what to do and how to act pleasingly, rather than reserving wisdom, talent, or skill for a few. He stands behind every person as the source of ability, forgets no worker, and can give people in different places ability to prepare what is needed, such as health foods suited to their countries and affordable for the poor. Heavenly reward is likewise without favoritism: lofty seats are not reserved for relatives and particular friends but given to those who love most, and mansions are opened to those who practice self-denial, subdue the will to God, conform life and character to the divine standard, and, even if by nature fierce-tempered and faulty through wrong training, through grace subdue unlovely traits and fight the good fight of faith. He does not require one person to sacrifice everything while another sacrifices nothing, but cheerful help and sacrifice for others is required of all alike, without suspicion, selfishness, or resentment over what is asked. Honoring one with better pay or favor while neglecting another in comparable or greater need is contrary to His impartiality, which requires fair agreed wages rather than uncertain support, no favor to position or success in management, no using youthful strength to wound aged servants, and no making erring finite beings the guide, for success and resources are gifts to be used so workers elsewhere have a fair chance, and work is judged by conduct and fruit, not human preference.
God shows no favoritism by nation, rank, wealth, appearance, or color, but in every nation accepts whoever reveres Him and lives righteously. Peter learned this when shown to call no person common or unclean, opening the gospel to Gentiles as equal fellow heirs without circumcision, confirmed when the Spirit fell on Gentile hearers as on Jewish believers. His impartiality does not excuse disobedience, for He judges all by the same standard of character and obedience, rewarding the obedient and punishing transgressors regardless of privilege or position. He still guides sincere seekers who live up to the light they have, sending further light through human messengers so they may come to full faith in Christ. Those converted share His spirit by treating rich and poor, high and lowly alike with justice and compassion, and by serving and using all without partiality.
Peter's Vision and Setting
The declaration was made in the house of Cornelius to Cornelius and the company gathered with him. It came after Cornelius had told of the angel appearing to him in vision and had declared that all present stood before God to hear what God had commanded. It came after Peter had explained that Jews counted it unlawful for a Jew to keep company with or come to a person of another nation because it brought ceremonial defilement, but that God had shown him to call no man common or unclean, which was why he had come without objection as soon as he was sent for. That rule against association came from human tradition and not from God's law, and no person is to be treated as common or unclean on that basis.
Peter had been prepared on the housetop at Joppa by a sheet let down from heaven containing all kinds of animals, four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things and fowls, with the bidding to kill and eat. He refused because nothing common or unclean had entered his mouth, and was answered three times that what God has cleansed must not be called common. The same lesson was enforced when three men came from Caesarea and the Spirit told him to go with them without doubting, which he did with six brethren as witnesses. The unclean animals illustrated the changed standing of the Gentiles before God, not permission to eat animals formerly prohibited as unclean, and the Jewish customs barring social contact were human tradition, not God's law. Such visions comfort God's people and correct them when departing from Bible truth, but do not provide a new rule of faith.
Peter himself was being converted from the prejudice against Gentiles held from Jewish training, learning not to belittle those without opportunity to hear the truth. He undertook the duty laid on him by divine command reluctantly at every step, defending it not on general principle but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and the result surprised him. His recognition meant he must no longer treat Gentiles as unclean or keep the gospel from them, and must no longer maintain the ceremonial distinction between circumcision and uncircumcision as a barrier. As pioneer in breaking through the barriers of ages to teach the heathen world, his experience with Cornelius, the first major conversion among the Gentiles, was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world, from which home a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
The chapter shows God's way of giving direction through visions in the night season, angel ministration, and a train of circumstances bringing honest hearts into connection with those who can best reach them. God knew exactly where each person was, told Cornelius in every particular where Peter was lodging with Simon the tanner, and guided both men to meet so that Cornelius might learn the truth. The angel could have given the gospel directly, but that is not God's way; heaven and earth were united as Peter as human instrument imparted the light he had received to Cornelius. That pattern shows that God's church must connect together and that those with greater knowledge must share it with seekers, with chosen people bringing the gospel to those who need it by God's power and not human wisdom.
Meaning of Divine Impartiality
Of a truth God favors no one for nation or background, and in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him. Peter learned that he must call no man common or unclean, and Cornelius and his household receiving the Holy Spirit and baptism confirmed that Gentiles share God's gifts and the gospel without first becoming Jews. Even wicked cities are not passed by, for in wicked Nineveh He saw those seeking something better who would abandon evil and turn to Him if given warning, and He revealed Himself clearly to lead them to repentance. The same Spirit given to uncircumcised Gentiles as to circumcised Jews shows neither group inferior and that Christ's blood cleanses from all uncleanness.
God makes no distinction of rank, wealth, learning, intellectual ability, outward appearance, property, or worldly honor, for all are simply people before Him. He judges not by these things but by oneness with Christ, purity, nobility, character, goodness, integrity, and love. The earnest, contrite, humble person who cherishes light and opportunity is precious, wise, and good in His sight, however ignorant or lowly the world considers him, and it is wrong to reject fellow believers for lack of wealth, learning, or worldly honor. His impartiality is pictured by the sun shining on just and unjust, representing Christ the Sun of Righteousness shining alike on all, so that favoring the wealthy while neglecting the poor displeases Him and slighting the needy slights Jesus. True moral worth is the humble contrite heart, and this was lived out by passing by the wealthy, honored, and leaders of the nation to dwell among the lowly without seeking admiration, applause, army, or earthly kingdom.
With God there is no caste or color, for race is nothing in His sight. Rich or poor, white or black, Jew or Gentile, bond or free are joined in one brotherhood and are equal, bought at infinite price, amenable to the same law, judged according to deeds, and offered the same salvation and the same heaven on the same terms. He loves all and gives special tender pity to those bearing heavier burdens, as a mother cares particularly for a sick child, and He will make up to the neglected what the world withholds. Slighting a brother for color slights Christ, for having a colored skin is no sin and cannot be helped, while what matters is a pure, white soul. Converted colored men and women who love Him are His property of equal worth with white people, received as graciously as Christ received all who came to Him, and capable through grace of being reformed, ennobled, and made fruitful.
God is not partial toward any person, place, or part of His vineyard, for His work is one whole. Means, men, and facilities are not to be concentrated in one favored location, institution, or country while other fields lack what they need, but advantages where the work is established are to help needy fields. Every portion is to be worked, advantages shared, and memorials such as places of worship, schools, and presses planted so the standard can advance elsewhere and the truth reach every people. Believers in every country are equally precious, and robbing one field to spend freely on another misrepresents Him and leaves workers hindered for lack of means.
His impartiality does not excuse sin or set aside obedience, for He rewards the obedient and punishes the disobedient by the same standard. Cain could have been accepted like Abel if he had offered in faith and obedience, for both had equal opportunity to understand and accept God's plan, but Abel believed and obeyed while Cain doubted and rebelled. Israel, though chosen, lost favor through murmuring, unbelief, and rebellion until blessings became curses and mercies became judgments, warning every generation against disregarding light and following its own way. Position, family, privilege, or great light do not shield transgressors, as seen with Nadab and Abihu, Moses and Aaron at the rock, and Uzziah, and great light brings increased responsibility rather than license. Those who fear Him and work righteousness remain precious only as they show allegiance by strict obedience to every precept of the moral law, including the Sabbath.
Gentiles Share the Gospel
With the declaration in Cornelius's house a new phase of the work opened in which the door that Jewish converts had closed against the Gentiles was thrown open. The ceremonial distinction between circumcision and uncircumcision was ended, and Gentiles who accept the gospel stand on perfect equality with Jewish disciples as fellow heirs without the necessity of circumcision. The ceremonial law made null by the crucifixion must not be put as a yoke upon Gentile disciples, since God knows the hearts, puts no difference between them, and purifies hearts by faith. Cornelius's conversion was the first major conversion among the Gentiles, though a barrier still held in the apostles' minds which Christ's death had broken down. God carries forward His work in His own way, breaking down prejudice and enlightening all who love and fear Him even when they do not yet know all the truth, sending heavenly messengers to bring many Gentiles to the truth, while those who hold to their own ideas and will not yield cannot be used but are passed by for those willing to walk in His ways.
The truth was proved while Peter spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for while he spoke the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the word with equal power as upon Jewish believers at the beginning. The same light and glory was reflected upon the uncircumcised as upon the circumcised, and the same gift given to those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ showed neither group inferior. Their reception of the Spirit and baptism showed that Christ's blood can cleanse from all uncleanness and that the gospel breaks down prejudice to open repentance and life to Gentiles. No human can impress the human heart, but God alone gives the words and impresses them upon hearts, with the righteousness of Christ going before and the glory of the Lord as rearward, giving power to lead men and women to give their hearts to the Saviour. Peter had learned this at Joppa through the sheet let down from heaven with four-footed beasts and wild beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air, the command to slay and eat, his refusal because nothing common or unclean had entered his mouth, and the voice answering three times that what God has cleansed must not be called common. The same lesson was enforced when three men came from Caesarea and the Spirit told him to go with them without doubting, which he did with six brethren as witnesses, so that he could not withstand God in preaching to them and eating with them in their houses.
Salvation was no longer restricted to the chosen people but was offered to the world to whoever in any nation believes in the Lord Jesus with all the heart. The gospel is equally able to save everyone who accepts Christ as personal Saviour, high as well as lowly. The church is founded on Christ the Rock and consists of those who faithfully confess and believe in Him, not confined to an institution claiming exclusive authority to save. In and through Christ Jew and Gentile are brought into one spiritual fold, fulfilling the covenant promise that in Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed. Christ came to break down barriers that exclude people from God's gifts and to show that His mercy and love are offered without restriction, like air, light, and rain, not reserved for one people or nation on account of nationality, rank, or creed. Name, outward privilege, and position have no real value with God and cannot secure the spiritual blessings of His covenant, and no outward disability can shut anyone out from those blessings if he complies with the conditions, for everywhere and in all ages he who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Seekers Led to Light
Cornelius pleased God by sincere devotion, daily prayer for light and guidance, generous almsgiving, and faithful living up to all the light he had, and he was kindly regarded and accepted as far as his knowledge went though he was not yet a disciple and did not yet fully know Christ. His piety, prayer, and alms were acceptable for what he knew, yet they could not take the place of Christ in whom all fullness dwells and in whom alone all is made complete. His faith and righteousness could not be complete or perfect without knowing Christ, so God did not leave him in darkness but sent him further light and knowledge for the further development of righteous character. That advance in faith and new experience came through a human messenger, for God appointed Peter as the human instrument to become acquainted with Cornelius in gospel missionary work and give him further instruction, rather than communicating the gospel by the angel, thus uniting heaven and earth so that more than one man was converted and a man of influence in connection with believers could accomplish a great work. He who had believed the promise of a Messiah had to receive its fulfillment through Jesus Christ, reaching out for more light until God counted him acceptable, saw he would do honor to the church, sent a special message from heaven, answered his daily prayers, and directed Peter to visit him.
The verse does not mean that good works make belief unimportant, that belief is of no consequence so long as works are good, or that good works alone save. Faith must unite with works, accompany works, and be joined with works, for faith alone does not save but is strengthened and made perfect and complete by works only. Those brought into connection with servants who have new truth substantiated by the Word of God should advance with the light given and accept it with joy and gladly follow it, for truth is onward and upward.
As God worked for Cornelius so He works in every age and in every sphere of action for men like Cornelius, devout honest seekers not fully informed of present truth yet fearing God, following principles of righteousness that God accepts, walking in all the light they have, longing and praying for more, and living devout lives as a clear pure undefiled testimony shining as bright lights. Many such are nearer the kingdom of God than is supposed, found even in the churches, in high positions of responsibility among worldly men, in the investigation of true science and of the laws that rule the world, in associations bitterly opposed to the message, and among men of position and means held by worldly ties who lack moral courage to stand with lowly believers. God prepares the way for them to take the place of those given a knowledge of Bible truth who disappointed Him, visits them by angels from heaven, places them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word to obtain advanced light, and calls men of nobility and influence to stand for Him in true integrity as witnesses testifying by purity and nobility of character to the power of unadulterated principles. When they receive Christ they receive Him with gladness, remain true to pure holy principles, and will gladly receive greater light and walk in it as precious jewels, so special determined effort must be made for them, servants must place themselves in readiness and make personal efforts to minister the bread of life with words of hope and cheer, and the work must not drift into securing only the poorest while neglecting the higher classes who if converted will give strength and solidity to the cause. Mere lifelong profession does not make a man true, sanctified, and ennobled through the truth, while those taught by God like Cornelius are called now, and those who have lost spiritual discernment yet are right in their own eyes and suppose themselves wise are foolish and in perilous condition building upon sand.
God regards every human being and cares equally for every soul He has created, with no one neglected or passed by and no people or class excluded from Christ's love. He knows each by name, just where each lives, the spirit possessed, and every act of life, as He knew Cornelius as truly as Abraham and knew where he lived, and He still acts for any person who receives and improves all the light given. His angels work throughout the earth to comfort the sorrowing, protect those in danger, and win people to Christ, ministering angels pass through the churches noting faithfulness in each individual line of duty, and heaven is much nearer the Christian engaged in soul-saving than many suppose. Even those without written law or gospel may respond to His voice in nature, showing the Spirit has touched their hearts and that they are recognized as His children, and the humble servant in humble employment wherever he is, purchased by blood at infinite price, is seen and helped alike and may trust the Captain of salvation to make known everything essential concerning eternity and salvation and to give strength even in great feebleness to do what He calls him to do. Therefore each person should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth, and acts of mercy toward anyone in need are accepted as done to Him.
Living Without Partiality
Those truly changed take on God's impartial spirit and treat every other person as they would treat Christ Himself, never disregarding another's rights. All who hold the truth are to cherish love for one another as brethren, showing no favoritism or partiality among people. Rich and poor, high and lowly stand alike, to be given credit for honesty of purpose and unselfish motives and to be treated exactly as we wish to be treated, with pitying love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility. Dealing must be honest, just, true, gentle, and righteous, without false weights, and oppression and injustice must not be supported even toward the least. Those who sit in council and act in official capacity must not be sharp, critical, determined, stubborn, oppressive, or harsh or exercise arbitrary authority, for harsh dealing imperils souls, and just as one deals with others in the person of His saints so will He deal with that one.
Unless rigid traits are overcome they will strengthen and harden until heaven's gates are closed, for no such spirit can enter the family above. Nearness to Jesus does not come by rank or favoritism but belongs to the pure, to those who are good and do good, as John was loved most because he most closely imitated Christ's character and was imbued with love. No distinction of color or caste is to be made, and separate interests are not to be built apart from the workers God has chosen, but all are to work together. Human judgment must be impartial like His: one man's mind and judgment is not to rule in important decisions, but plans must be opened to other minds to be viewed, sifted, freely unfolded, tested, and prayerfully considered in unity under the Spirit. Feelings enlisted for relatives or special favorites must not govern counsel or produce partial decisions, guard wrong, or allow disputes and difficulties among believers and relations to divert the mind from the great object to be attained.
Those who guard the interests of His people must not let regard for family or position stop them from reproving wrong, for great light and special privileges do not excuse sin but bring increased responsibility. When favored and honored persons sin, their influence goes far to encourage transgression, and if their example weakens another's faith and breaks down moral and religious principle, wrath will come upon them as betrayers of sacred trust. Those responsible for reform must not excuse sin or conceal evil through misplaced kindness, for firm correction of a few, done in Christ's spirit, can be mercy to many. No preferences are to be shown, but one another respected, with plans shared and carefully considered so that work goes forward in unity. God shows no favoritism in whom He uses, but teaches and guides each one individually, so that all who seek Him with the whole heart will find Him, which calls for patience and kindness toward the difficult and sensitive.
He uses humble, devoted Christians who have love of truth in the heart, whether learned or ignorant, whether called to ordained ministry or not, and accepts their service in sharing truth with others. The greatest part of the work is not to be expected of and left to ministers alone, for hundreds of now-idle men and women can work if encouraged. According to ability they can do acceptable service and a great work by carrying truth house to house into the homes of neighbors and friends, and sitting by the fireside, if humble, discreet, and godly, they can meet the real needs of families even more than a minister could. No kind of person or essential occupation or class of work is beneath regard, for physical strength and mental ability are gifts from God, and faithful, thoughtful, skillful use of them in necessary work expresses love for Him and ennobles and sanctifies labor. Ministers must reflect that impartiality by becoming acquainted with those for whom they work, sharing their joys and sorrows and ministering to every class without distinction.
The whole tenth chapter is to be read and prayed over until understanding is opened, and then it sets workers to earnest labor for souls in the home field, giving the work as freely to Jews as to Gentiles and erecting no barriers by forbidding and criticism. It reveals how God works on human minds for one who fears His name, breaking the power of oppression and tyranny and dispelling ignorance and superstition. Small companies in destitute spiritual condition, anxious to be fed, stretching out for the bread of life, eagerly searching the Scriptures and praying together like Cornelius and his house gathered to hear all things commanded of God, must be given food from the Word in a plain, reachable way, with the crib let down that the hungry may feed. Cornelius, a Roman officer in high position who lived by the light received and sought more in prayer, received a message and Peter was directed to visit him, showing that persons of influence and the higher classes are also called and should be reached by special effort, since if converted they give strength to the cause. No one is to be passed by when others can help save them, for family, privilege, culture, or religious training give no favor, and children and youth with fewer advantages deserve the same loving care as those closely watched over.
God deals impartially with workers and stewards, giving wisdom to all who ask in faith as He gave Solomon discernment to learn both what to do and how to act pleasingly, rather than reserving wisdom, talent, or skill for a few. He stands behind every person as the source of ability, forgets no worker, and can give people in different places ability to prepare what is needed, such as health foods suited to their countries and affordable for the poor. Heavenly reward is likewise without favoritism: lofty seats are not reserved for relatives and particular friends but given to those who love most, and mansions are opened to those who practice self-denial, subdue the will to God, conform life and character to the divine standard, and, even if by nature fierce-tempered and faulty through wrong training, through grace subdue unlovely traits and fight the good fight of faith. He does not require one person to sacrifice everything while another sacrifices nothing, but cheerful help and sacrifice for others is required of all alike, without suspicion, selfishness, or resentment over what is asked. Honoring one with better pay or favor while neglecting another in comparable or greater need is contrary to His impartiality, which requires fair agreed wages rather than uncertain support, no favor to position or success in management, no using youthful strength to wound aged servants, and no making erring finite beings the guide, for success and resources are gifts to be used so workers elsewhere have a fair chance, and work is judged by conduct and fruit, not human preference.